ACTIFUSE FLOW vs SHAPE: Which graft for your ankle fusion?
Straight answer on ACTIFUSE FLOW versus SHAPE for foot and ankle fusion, from Elite Surgical at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
You're in the OR at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, filling a bone defect for an ankle fusion. You have both ACTIFUSE FLOW and ACTIFUSE SHAPE on your shelf. You need to know which graft handles better and delivers reliable fusion for this specific case.
FLOW comes in a syringe to inject into tight, irregular spaces. SHAPE is a moldable strip you can pack and contour to fill a larger void. Both are silicate-substituted calcium phosphate that your body replaces with real bone. No hip or heel harvest needed.
For a typical tibiotalar or subtalar fusion with moderate bone loss, either graft works. The size and shape of the defect decide what is best. A narrow gap calls for FLOW. A bigger void that needs contouring calls for SHAPE. Cost is similar; both avoid donor site pain.
Next time you plan an ankle fusion at Wexner, call Elite Surgical. We can bring both grafts to your case, review the defect, and help you decide. Don't guess which one to open. A quick conversation with our team keeps the OR moving.
You walk into the room knowing exactly which graft you will use. The case goes smoothly. Your patient gets a solid fusion without extra incisions or donor site pain.
Other things people in Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center ask
bone graft substitute not remodeling
Not all synthetics remodel at the same rate. A graft with a highly porous, interconnected scaffold, like ACTIFUSE or ALTAPORE, is built to be replaced by host bone over time. Check your graft's resorption profile. If you need predictable remodeling, choose one with published fusion data for foot and ankle.
weight bearing after ankle fusion with synthetic bone graft
Weight bearing depends on fixation stability, not just the graft. With ACTIFUSE, the scaffold starts remodeling within weeks, but full load is typically allowed after 6-8 weeks if the construct is solid. Check your specific fixation and follow published protocols for tibiotalar fusion with this graft.
bone graft substitute for diabetic ankle fusion
Use a scaffold that remodels into real bone and can handle poor host biology. ACTIFUSE provides an 80% porous structure that the body replaces with living bone, without harvesting from the hip or heel. Published tibiotalar fusion series using this graft show reliable outcomes in compromised patients.
cost of bone graft substitute for ankle fusion
The price depends on the volume of graft needed and the specific product. For a standard ankle fusion, a synthetic graft like ACTIFUSE typically costs less than using a bone graft harvested from the patient when you factor in OR time and donor site complications. Get a quote from your supplier for the exact product and volume.
normal shoes after ankle fusion synthetic bone graft
Most patients can transition to a supportive shoe around 10 to 12 weeks after surgery, once X-rays show the fusion is solid. Synthetic grafts like ACTIFUSE remodel into real bone, so the timeline is similar to autograft. Always confirm healing on imaging before clearing the patient.
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Elite Surgical handles foot & ankle fusion in Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the area around it.